Attending a golf show is a great way to start the golf season, and having a plan for attending a show can save you time and money, and make the entire experience more meaningful. To that end, we sought the advice of a golf show manager to share insights on attending a golf show. John Tipping, whose company Cascadia Events runs the Seattle Golf & Travel Show and Vancouver Golf & Travel Show in British Columbia, offers some suggestions on how to get the most out of your golf show experience.
According to John, the top three reasons people attend a golf show are:
• Discounted show pricing on golf and golf products.
• News and information about local golf courses.
• An opportunity to learn about one’s own golf game.
“There are PGA pros on hand who offer free swing analysis, and every major manufacturer is there with the latest products, and you can test drive clubs,” says John. “Also, this is a consumer driven show, and exhibitors are here to do just that. They come armed with their best offers of the season, and it’s a chance for them to get off to a good start businesswise, and our attendees are at the lucky end of that process. We have custom fitters if you are looking for new clubs, and travel agents and group tour planners if you want to discuss specific destinations.”
Don’t forget the fun elements, too, like the long drive and putting contests, the closest to the pin (KP) simulator event, and the always popular 50-foot putting contest. Every attendee at the Seattle and Vancouver golf shows receives one free round of golf.
Before attending the show, John suggests you check out the show website. For the Seattle and Vancouver shows, John says, “We will have a new interactive show map with each vendor’s special show offer listed on the website.” This is an offer that is only available for attendees of the show. After the show is over, all of the exhibitors will continue to be listed online. “This will serve as a great reminder for attendees as to who they saw and what sort of things they found at the show,” John says.
A final suggestion: Bring a non-golfing friend to the show. “This is a great place to introduce them to the game,” says John.
Though these suggestions for attending a golf show are focused on the Seattle and Vancouver shows, many of these elements are true at every other golf show around the country. With the golf season just around the corner, here’s a list of upcoming shows that should bring your golf enthusiasm back up to par.
2015 Golf Shows
Kansas City Golf Show
Feb. 6-8
Overland Park Convention Center
Overland Park, Kansas
(888) 367-6420
kansascitygolfshow.com
Washington (D.C.) Golf Show
Feb. 6-8
Dulles Expo Center
Chantilly, Virginia
(330) 963-6963
northcoastgolfshows.com
Boise Golf & Travel show
Feb. 7-8
Expo Idaho
Boise, Idaho
(208) 340-1855
boisegolfshow.com
Philadelphia Golf Show
Feb. 13-15
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
Oaks, Pennsylvania
(330) 963-6963
northcoastgolfshows.com
St. Louis Golf Expo
Feb. 13-15
St. Charles Convention Center
St. Charles, Missouri
(888) 367-6420
stlouisgolfexpo.com
Vancouver Golf & Travel Show
Feb. 14-15
Pacific National Exhibition Center
Vancouver, British Columbia
(877) 485-2899
vancouvergolfshow.com
Minnesota Golf Show
Feb. 20-22
Minneapolis Convention Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
(612) 695-0529
minnesotagolfshow.com
Denver Golf Expo
Feb. 20-22
The Denver Mart
Denver, Colorado
(303) 771-2000
denvergolfexpo.com
Toronto Star Golf & Travel Show
Feb. 20-22
International Centre
Mississauga, Ontario
(800) 693-7986, ext. 276
torontogolfshow.com
Cleveland Golf Show
Feb. 20-22
Cleveland IX Center
Cleveland, Ohio
(330) 963-6963
northcoastgolfshows.com
Portland Golf Show
Feb. 20-22
Oregon Convention Center
Portland, Oregon
(888) 367-6420
portlandgolfshow.com
Spokane Golf & Travel Show
Feb. 21-22
Spokane Convention Center
Spokane, Washington
(509) 621-0125
spokanegolfshow.com
New Jersey Golf Show
Feb. 27-March 1
Garden State Exhibit Center
Somerset, N.J.
(330) 963-6963
northcoastgolfshows.com
Chicago Golf Show
Feb. 27-March 1
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, Illinois
(312) 541-0567
chicagogolfshow.com
National Golf Expo
Feb. 27-March 1
Seaport World Trade Center
Boston, Massachusetts
(800) 258-8912
paragonexpo.com
Seattle Golf & Travel Show
Feb. 27-March 1
CenturyLink Field Event Center
Seattle, Washington
(877) 485-2899
seattlegolfshow.com
Louisville Golf Expo
Feb. 27-March 1
Kentucky Exposition Center
Louisville, Kentucky
(888) 367-6420
louisvillegolfexpo.com
Great Plains Golf Expo
Feb. 28-March 1
Sioux Falls Convention Center
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
(605) 338-7499
greatplainsgolfexpo.com
Michigan Golf Show
March 6-8
Suburban Collection Showplace
Novi, Michigan
(517) 548-1200
michigangolfshow.com
DFW Golf Show (Dallas, Fort Worth)
March 6-8
Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas
Irving, Texas
(888) 367-6420
dfwgolfshow.com
Edmonton Golf Show
March 7-8
Edmonton Expo Centre
Edmonton, Alberta
(888) 866-6140
albertagolfshows.com
Pittsburgh Golf Show
March 13-15
Monroeville Convention Center
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
(330) 963-6963
northcoastgolfshows.com
Nebraska Golf Show
March 14-15
CenturyLink Center
Omaha, Nebraska
(888) 367-6420
nebraskagolfshow.com
Connecticut Golf Show
March 20-22
Connecticut Convention Center
Hartford, Connecticut
(888) 367-6420
ctgolfshow.com
Calgary Golf Show
March 21-22
BMO Centre
Calgary, Alberta
(888) 866-6140
albertagolfshows.com
LA Golf Show
March 27-29
Long Beach Convention Center
Long Beach, California
(888) 367-6420
lagolfshow.com
Rick Stedman is an avid golfer, RVer and writer. Rick writes a weekly golf blog, “The 19th Hole,” which is published every Saturday at rvlife.com. He can be reached at rstedman@gmail.com.
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